Man kills 3 kids, mom-in-law; stabs self

CATMON, Cebu, Philippines – A man stabbed dead his three children and his mother-in-law before taking his own life Sunday afternoon in Barangay Panalipan in this town.

Eric Figues, 27, allegedly used an 11-inch knife to stab his children Stephanne, six, who was celebrating her birthday that day; John Eric, four, and Erica Lynn, one; and his mother-in-law Emilda Molat, 47.

The victims died from several stab wounds, according to a doctor at the Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital.

Figues’ father-in-law Josepher, 58, survived the bloodbath.

Josepher told case investigator Police Officer 2 Vergilito Debulosan that he and Emilda were preparing to have lunch when they heard Figues shouting, “Forgive me pa, ma” from his house, which was nearby. He said they went to the house but found the door locked.

When the couple managed to open the door, the suspect reportedly stabbed Emilda.

Josepher managed to elude the attack, escape and call for help.

When Josepher returned with some neighbors, they found Figues and the children dead.

Debulosan said the children’s mother was working in Lapu-Lapu City when the killing occurred.